Chapter 864: Who is this? [1]

Zhao Tian leaned back against the headboard and his gaze was distant as the weight of recent revelations still settled within him.

Xia Shenyi was curled comfortably in his lap, her soft hair brushing against his chin as she rested her head on his shoulder.

Her arms were loosely looped around his neck, her fingers tracing slow, idle patterns across his collarbone.

Zhao Tian's hand moved gently along her cheek, his thumb brushing her skin in small, soothing circles.

He wasn't even aware he was doing it; it was instinctive, anchoring him amidst the swirl of impossible truths he had learned.

Xia Shenyi tilted her head slightly, looking at him with a thoughtful look "That's…" she began softly, her lips curving into a faint, wry smile, "…very interesting. So you have three mothers."

Her tone was calm but carried a glint of confusion, like she was still trying to wrap her head around it.

Zhao Tian let out a low breath that sounded halfway between a sigh and a chuckle. "Well, technically four. If you consider Suyin too."

Xia Shenyi shifted slightly, her cheek brushing against his shoulder as she tilted her head to meet his gaze "Four mothers, you're either the most blessed man in all the realms or the most complicated."

"Probably both,"

His hand slid from her cheek to the nape of her neck while his fingers tangled gently in the strands of her hair.

He tilted her head back slightly, just enough to see the full curve of her smile.

She let out a soft laugh and pressed herself closer, filling the distance between them.

Her lips brushed against his lips, and for a moment, he was still, letting the warmth of her kiss wash over him.

Then he responded, his hand tightening gently at the back of her neck as he deepened the kiss.

Xia Shenyi's hands slid upward, her fingers threading through his hair and she pulled gently, pressing herself closer.

*knock*

At this time, they heard a knock on the door and Xia Shenyi pulled back "Haa.. they came at the bad timing."

Zhao Tian chuckled softly, his hand lingering on her waist as he glanced toward the door. "Enter."

The wooden door creaked open, and three elf maids stepped inside.

The first maid, her hair braided with tiny white flowers, set her tray on a low lacquered table near the bed.

She moved with deliberate care and her eyes flicked toward Zhao Tian every few seconds, as though trying to memorize his features.

The second maid, whose hair was loose and cascaded like a waterfall over her shoulders, arranged a series of small porcelain dishes, her fingers staying on each one as she stole quick glances at him.

The third maid, the youngest of the trio, carried a steaming pot of soup, and her cheeks flushed faintly as she caught Zhao Tian's eye, her gaze dropping quickly to the table as she busied herself with setting out the spoons.

Xia Shenyi, still nestled in Zhao Tian's lap, watched the maids with a faint, amused smile. "They're curious about you..." she whispered in a low voice so only he could hear.

Zhao Tian smiled under his breath and whispered back "They must be so curious about the man in their star."

The maids continued their work, pulling the table closer to the bed and arranging the dishes with meticulous care.

The youngest maid, still blushing, nearly dropped a spoon as she set it down, and her fingers fumbled under Zhao Tian's steady gaze.

She recovered quickly, her ears twitching slightly as she bowed her head and stepped back, joining the others near the door.

The second maid, her expression more composed but no less curious, gave a final glance before bowing deeply.

"Thank you," Zhao Tian said and the maids nodded in unison and filed out of the room, closing the door softly behind them.

Xia Shenyi let out a soft hum of amusement, her head resting once more against his shoulder "They're going to be talking about you for days,"

Zhao Tian's lips twitched into a smile as he looked down at her, his hand sliding to the small of her back. "Let them talk.. come, let's eat first."

...

The night sky over the Elven Star was unlike that of any other world Zhao Tian had visited.

High above the forests, Zhao Tian hovered in the air, his robes billowing lightly around him as the gentle night wind combed through his hair.

Below him, the vast canopy of the Elven continent glowed faintly.

The Elven Star was alive even in silence.

Floating motes of light drifted between the forest trees, and spirit wisps born of pure yin energy trailed delicate trails of silver that spiraled lazily upward before fading into the night.

He smiled faintly to himself.

"Guess I'll go out for a walk..."

His voice vanished into the wind as he tilted forward, letting his body dash through the air.

He dashed through the air for a while, marveling at the beautiful places.

As he slowed, a wide meadow came into view with a vast expanse of silver grass.

And in the center, there was a large lake reflecting the moonlight.

He descended gently, landing on a smooth stone by the lake's edge.

The air here was cooler, and Zhao Tian gazed across the still water, looking at his own reflection.

He knelt by the water and dipped his fingers into the surface.

The liquid was cool because of the night, and the ripples that spread from his touch glowed softly before fading away.

*splash*

With a sudden splash, a cascade of water droplets caught the moonlight like scattered diamonds.

Hmm? Zhao Tian's hand froze mid-motion, his fingers still grazing the cool water as he turned his gaze to the center of the lake.

The ripples spread outward in shimmering rings, and from their center, a figure emerged, rising gracefully from the depths.

The water parted around her, sliding off her skin in glistening streams, revealing an elf woman, utterly naked.

The water slid over her slender body, running in delicate streams across her collarbone, down the gentle curve of her breasts, and over her red nipples, which stood out vividly against her skin.

Her long green hair clung to her shoulders and back, cascading in wet tendrils, and she stood waist-deep in the lake, her arms rising slowly to sweep her hair back, water dripping from her slender fingers.

Zhao Tian straightened, pulling his hand back from the water as he rose to his feet on the smooth stone.

'Who is this...'

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